My girl started a new school year today....
She's so shy, meek and mild, don't you think??
She's not shocked, nor are my cabinets that short, she's just that tall.
She was such a big help getting her cubbie packed (while her mom wiped away tears-at least one of us was mature and got busy)....
Today was an adjustment- for mom more than child. I may or may not have shed a small bucket of tears this morning as we took a sharp right instead of our typical sharp left. I may or may not have purposefully dressed her in that monogrammed outfit so they would know her name and not get her confused.
We got to see one of our most favorite people as we signed in, a small glimmer of hope that the world had not ended, but opened a new chapter instead. We'll I'll be strong.
Happy first day of school, girlie! I'm sure I'll look back at these pictures in what will seem like a few short days before you start your next year and be totally shocked!
Last year as we prayed earnestly about where to put Evie because, for our family, it was best that I continue to work, I never dreamed of how the Lord would be SO real and work out our daycare plans SO clearly. I’m a mom and the tiniest love of my life spends her day away from me, so, of course, it’s a struggle (with no help from the comments I get about why we choose for her to be in 'group care' or why I choose to continue working) to think of what place could be “worthy” enough to keep her. It is NOT unlikely for the waiting list at her school to be two years, in fact, that seems to be common. Therefore, I didn’t even battle with getting on the waiting list originally. It kept being brought up to me in conversation, as I passed by, etc. I finally felt like I should AT LEAST just make a call. I prayed about it for a week before doing so……. it shouldn’t come as ANY shock to me-as I still sit here shocked-that the Lord very much went before us and planned a path for EB at the early learning center sponsored by my company (that within itself is a blessing). I called, they had an opening for a little girl and had nothing but boys on the waiting list. Within three days we were enrolled and DYING for August to get here so she could start this program.
I miss Evie all day long every day. I think about her constantly and wonder what she’s doing..better yet, what she’s gotten into. She is definitely one of the most “spirited” children in that room. Notice I didn’t say I worry… I haven’t worried about her one time since last August. Every morning I hand over my most precious earthly possession and walk out of that building with a wonderful peace. So, I think you get the point….. You know me, I LOVE to skip down Memory Lane ever so often, so let’s go...
They also gave us a HUGE stack of pictures that were taken throughout the year. They were SUCH a precious gift as I flipped through and got a glimpse into the classroom during the day. 
We went from a tiny chunk of gummy smiles who, bless her, had her paci, bottle and baby food taken away almost before she could blink and sleeping on a nap mat at 8 months. To a lively, talking in phrases, counting (her poor math skills she got from her mom), jumping, potty training, spirited, somewhat [at times] mannerly almost 21 month old. It's amazing. What a difference a whole year makes.
So, we welcome another year. We do. We really do. 102 has a special place in our hearts because it was a place that transitioned us, taught us and grew us as parents. Next year will be exciting on new levels-- I have "helmet" on my to do list for this weekend. As IF my child needs a reason to be any more adventurous. It's exciting. I'm thrilled over the goals they've established for this next year. Next year holds so much fun as language is developed, we inch closer to being diaper free and we start learning more independence, but our hearts will miss Mrs. S and Mrs. D. They have beeen adopted into our family as friends, mentors and when I ask EB who her friends are or who she loves at school, she thinks and quickly responds, "SheShe" or "Nonna" without blinking an eye.
I'll have to say, I do agree, sweet growing baby girl!!
I get that it’s “just” $6, but Evie likes bows….like, a lot. They also have a way of disappearing.
Do you read 
It is MAGICALLY easy and wonderful. If you remember back when I was making the ghost last October (another Darby project), I commented that I don’t sew or anything close to it. I can hot glue and that’s only some of the time. Guess what? That’s key in keeping your bows together.
No wonder she has 55,687,456 skeeter bites. 
Yes, as a matter of fact, she did “color” herself with blue chalk. Yep, I totally let her too. 
Yes, she is laying in the grass, partially colored blue and wearing a diaper. We live in Alabama.
